New CLK DTM AMG to find the first traces of its racing pedigree, the transfer of high-end motorsport technology to the road given visual expression by the low slung front apron with large cooling air inlets, striking fender flarings, 19 and 20-inch AMG light-alloy wheels and the diffusor-look rear section with rear wing, all of which recall the head-turning muscularity of the successful CLK racing touring cars competing in the DTM. Added to which, a host of body components have been constructed from the high-strength and extremely lightweight carbon-fibre-reinforced material CFRP.

Performance comparable with a super sports carBoasting instant accelerator response, impressive torque development, free-revving vivacity and an unmistakeable V8 soundtrack, the wonderfully powerful AMG 5.5-litre supercharged V8 at the heart of the CLK DTM AMG was born to deliver performance characteristics normally the preserve of super sports cars. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h vanishes in only 3.9 seconds on the way to an electronically governed maximum speed of 320 km/h. The AMG SPEEDSHIFT five-speed automatic transmission injects further doses of mo-tor-racing magic into the new arrival. The driver changes gear with a short dab of the steer-ing-wheel-mounted shift paddles, the amazingly short shift times pushing back the boundaries of sporty driving and dynamic feel.

Newly developed spring and shock absorber units with adjustable coil springs, plus a locking differential on the rear axleThe chassis, meanwhile, is a more than worthy complement to the beguiling muscle of the powertrain. Already a firm fixture on the race-track, height-adjustable spring and shock ab-sorber units with adjustable coil springs are also an integral feature of the new road car. The rear axle has been redesigned to include totally new spring links and hub carriers, as well as reinforced drive shafts. Uniball joints on both axles replace rubber elements and imbue the car driving characteristics with unrivalled precision. A multiple-disc limited-slip differential at the rear axle ensures optimum traction, whilst Acceleration Skid Control ASR and the Elec-tronic Stability Program ESP?have been adjusted to take into account the enhanced levels of performance.

Optional Dunlop sports tyres offer exceptional gripOptionally available sports tyres from DTM motorsport partner Dunlop (225/35 R 19 at the front and 285/30 R 20 at the rear) help the car maintain unrivalled contact with the road surface. These tyres offer particularly high levels of grip and are fitted on multi-piece AMG light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design (front: 9 x 19, rear: 10 x 20) which have been developed ex-clusively for the CLK DTM AMG. Their visually alluring spokes are extremely effective not only when it comes to turning heads, but also in providing ventilation for the brakes. And the newly developed AMG high-performance composite braking system with six-piston fixed callipers at the front and four-piston fixed callipers at the rear can be relied on to ensure flawless decel-eration.

Functional racing-car ambience in the interior Once inside the CLK DTM AMG, the driver is struck by a functional racing ambience laced with the trademark exclusivity of AMG high-performance cars. Two leather AMG sports bucket seats made from exceptionally lightweight CFRP and fitted with four-point safety belts offer the two occupants optimum lateral support, whilst the thick and oval-shaped rim of the high-grip suede-trimmed AMG racing steering wheel helps to transmit a particularly acute feel for the car. The door panels are made from CFRP, as are many other elements of the interior such as the instrument cluster. The newly designed centre console boasts a selection of eye-catching features, including the silver-coloured selector lever surround, the starter button, four rocker switches for auxiliary functions and a badge bearing the vehicle number.